The condition you have heard about – foetal alcohol syndrome – affects about one-third of babies born to women who drink at least 18 units...

Question

We fear for the baby's health and have heard of foetal alcohol syndrome.

What are the facts and risks?

Answer

It is understandable that you are both worried about the baby's wellbeing.

Firstly encourage your partner to discuss her alcohol consumption with her doctor and midwife.

They can advise her on the most appropriate form of help that is available in your area to try and help her deal with her dependence on alcohol.

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You don't say how much your partner drinks, but that information is very important when trying to assess the risks that her drinking might pose to the baby.

The condition you have heard about – foetal alcohol syndrome – affects about one-third of babies born to women who drink at least 18 units of alcohol per day during pregnancy (that's equivalent to about 18 small glasses of wine or nine pints of beer, lager or cider per day).

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Babies with foetal alcohol syndrome have a characteristic facial appearance with rather squashed up features, a low birth weight and their nervous system may be damaged with effects such as intellectual impairment and brain malformation.

If your partner consumes considerably less than 18 units of alcohol a day then the risk of the baby developing foetal alcohol syndrome is extremely low.

However, even at lower rates of alcohol consumption the baby could still be affected in other ways.

Women who drink more than 15 units of alcohol per week during pregnancy may be more prone to miscarriage and are more likely to have a baby with a reduced birth weight.

This must still be worrying for you, so do urge your partner to see her doctor and get help for her drinking problem as soon as possible.

The materials in this web site are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor. The web site does not have answers to all problems. Answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone. If you notice medical symptoms or feel ill, you should consult your doctor - for further information see our Terms and conditions.

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